PLAINS &

PEAKS Vol.VOL .44 43— Iss.- ISS 1. 7 FEBRUARYOCTOBER —20092010

MURIE AUDUBON Casper Wyoming - Monthly Publication

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, "WHERE RAINBOWS WAIT FOR RAIN"

cott Burt, Ph.D., Visiting Associate Professor of Biology at S UW/CC will be our guest speaker for this year‘s banquet. Scott has a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from Angelo State and his PhD from the University of New Mexico. While his training is special- ized in mammals, he has had a long history in the biology of birds and often plans vacations to include birding at Big Bend National Park. Big Bend National Park was authorized by Congress in 1935 to preserve and protect a representative area of the Chihuahuan De- sert along the Rio Grande for the benefit and enjoyment of pre-

CALENDAR TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE # Feb. 2—6PM—Banquet meeting—ACGC Presidential Ponderings 2 Feb. 2—7PM—Board Meeting—ACGC Feb. 6—10-12 Noon—Bird ID class— Murie’s CBC, Bates Hole CBC 3-4 ACGC Feb. 12-14—Great Back Yard Bird Count Government Intelligence 5 Feb. 13—24th Annual Banquet & Fund- raiser—5:30—Parkway Plaza—tickets are Bird Notes 6 $25 each or a table of 8 for $175—Call Rose- Field Trips 7 Mary for tickets (577-0568) Feb. 15—Deadline for articles for the March ACGC, Audubon Adventures, Banquet Needs 8 Plains & Peaks Feb. 20—Jackson Canyon Eagle watch field Certificate of Appreciation Recipients, Refresh- 9 trip ment Schedule March 18-20—40th Annual Rivers & Wild life Celebration—Kearney, NE

SAVE PAPER, MONEY & FOLDING TIME—READ YOUR NEWSLETTER AT MURIE’S WEBSITE—CONTACT ROSE-MARY KING— [email protected]

PAGE 2 PLAINS & PEAKS sent and future generations. cies of birds, call Big Bend Lady Luck (raffles), meet The park encompasses more home. This presentation will old friends and make new than 800,000 acres in south- cover some of the organisms ones (excepting maybe west Texas and has national that manage to survive (and those you out-bid in silent significance as the largest thrive) in such a harsh environ- auction), and above all a protected area of Chihuahuan ment. The past, present, and time to be merry! Combin- Desert topography and ecol- future of the park will also be ing the above with an excel- ogy in the United States. discussed. lent speaker and presenta- The park‘s river, desert, and The Parkway Plaza will be the tion of awards to deserving mountain environments sup- location for this year‘s annual people makes an evening to port an extraordinary rich- banquet on February 13, 2010. remember. The fun begins ness of biological diversity, The tickets are $25 each, or 5:30 Saturday, February including endemic plants and you can reserve a table of eight 13th with a happy hour at animals, and provide unparal- for $175; contact Rose-Mary the Parkway Plaza followed leled recreation opportuni- King (577-0568) or (262-4861) by a delicious western style ties. The geologic features for tickets. We will begin the buffet. This year, the Na- and Cretaceous and Tertiary evening with a social hour at trona County High School fossils in Big Bend create op- 5:30 PM with dinner at 6:30 PM, Strings will accompany the portunities to study the sedi- so you should have time to visit merriment. mentary and igneous proc- and check out the raffle and si- Banquet planning com- esses. Archeological and his- lent auction items. Proceeds mences 2-3 years ahead torical resources provide ex- from the event will be used to with the booking of a facil- amples of cultural interaction support Murie Audubon‘s educa- ity and thinking about avail- in the Big Bend Region and tion programs. Program Chair— ability of potential speak- varied ways humans adapted Bruce Walgren (Photo by ers. This year we're de- to the desert and river envi- Scott Burt) lighted to welcome back Dr. ronments. The Rio Grande is Scott Burt, who will talk on life-sustaining for plants, ani- PRESIDENTIAL the Natural History of Big mals and human inhabitants PONDERINGS Bend National Park. You beyond its banks. may remember his descrip- This remote and seldom tion of amazing feats of en- visited park offers to the in- durance and navigation in- trepid traveler (and bird- volved in bird migration watcher!!) a suite of remark- when he spoke to us at our able natural treasures, from September membership the ribbon of the Rio Grande meeting. We would like to e're having a party! River to an island of forested think that Rose-Mary King It's called the "Murie mountains surrounded by a W is Banquet Chair for Life, Audubon Society Annual Ban- sea of desert. A surprising but she will be stepping quet," an occasion to eat, con- number of plants and animals, down after several years of sume beverage of choice, court including more than 450 spe- deftly co-coordinating this PAGE 3 PLAINS & PEAKS event. The annual planning tee members and helpers kar cw, Dusky (Blue) Grouse process accelerates when gather to lay out these items, 2, Wild Turkey 194, Great the Banquet Committee con- each accompanied by a card Blue Heron 1, Bald Eagle 27 venes in October. A Master identifying the donor. Minimum (19 adults, 8 imm.), N. Har- of Ceremonies is recruited, bids (if appropriate) for silent rier 4, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, and the committee and auction items need to be agreed Cooper's Hawk 1, Red-tailed Murie Board work together and bid sheets labeled. The Hawk 10, Ferruginous Hawk 2, to identify individuals de- night of the banquet, volun- Rough-legged Hawk 25, serving of awards, always teers collect admissions and Golden Eagle 33 (24 adults, 9 welcoming input from the wander around the room imm.), Amer. Kestrel cw, Mer- membership. Committee wreathed in raffle tickets, a lin 3, Prairie Falcon 3, Rock members contact businesses not-so-silent come-on to pur- Pigeon 570, Eurasian Collared and individuals for donations chase more. During the raffle, -Dove 416, Mourning Dove 1, of items for raffle and si- our more able-bodied volun- E. Screech-Owl cw, Great lent auction. Much thought teers (young people) deliver Horned Owl 11, Belted King- is given to centerpieces and winnings to the winners. Plan- fisher 3, Downy Woodpecker favors, as well as the place- ning the banquet requires as- 10, Hairy Woodpecker 13, mat themes translated to tute and dedicated leadership. Amer. Three-toed Wood- delightful drawings by Mrs. Thank you Rose-Mary! And pecker 2, N. Flicker 96 (R-S Grogon's class at Paradise thanks to the committee and 95, Y-S 1), Northern Shrike Valley Elementary School. volunteers! See you on Febru- 1, Steller's Jay 16, Blue Jay Centerpieces this year will ary 13th. 30, Clark's Nutcracker 95, be freestanding collages of President—Jim Brown Black-billed photos by Art Van Rensse- laer. Favors will be a sur- MURIE’S CBC prise (hint: something to do with suet). Not to be over- urie Audu- looked is the task of design- M bon‘s CBC ing banquet tickets, posters was held on Sat- and awards. The committee, urday, Dec. 19, Board members and whom- 2009 The fol- ever else we can co-opt sell lowing species the tickets. Finally, the were tallied. banquet program goes to C a n a d a press, listing the order of Goose 1255, Tun- proceedings and expressing dra Swan cw, thanks to volunteers and Amer. Wigeon 2, contributors of raffle and Mallard 1079, Common Gold- (Cartoon by Harry Martin) silent auction items. On the eneye 302, Hooded Merganser Magpie 124, Amer. Crow 51, day of the banquet, commit- 1, Common Merganser 35, Chu- Common Raven 18, Horned PAGE 4 PLAINS & PEAKS

Lark 60, Black-capped Rough-legged Hawk 22, Ferrugi- No Canada Geese were Chickadee 108, Mountain nous Hawk 4, Golden Eagle 13 (8 seen which is unusual. The Chickadee 38, Bushtit 4, Red adults, 5 immature), Rock Pi- Casper CBC had a large goose -breasted Nuthatch 8, geon 60, Great Horned Owl 10, count. It would seem that White-breasted Nuthatch Belted Kingfisher 1, Hairy the local Canada Geese have 11, Brown Creeper 1, Town- Woodpecker 1, Red-shafted moved to town for the winter. send's Solitaire 23, Amer. Flicker 4, Horned Lark 120, N. Noticeably absent were Robin 531, European Star- Shrike 2, Pinyon Jay 4, Clark‘s warmer season birds like ling 2017, Cedar Waxwing 5, Nutcracker 7, Magpie 207, Meadowlarks and Gulls that Spotted Towhee cw, Amer. Amer. Crow 2, Common Raven stay during our milder win- Tree Sparrow 6, Song Spar- 26, Black-capped Chickadee 14, ters but move south when the row 2, Junco - Dark-eyed Mountain Chickadee 1, Bushtit winter turns cold as this one 104, (Oregon form 9, pink- 14, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, has. On the other hand, sided 2, slate colored 12, 81 Dipper 2, Townsend‘s Solitaire there was a relatively high undifferentiated), Gray- 16, Amer. Robin 5, European count of Rough-legged Hawks, crowed Rosy Finch 4, House Starling 202, Amer. Tree Spar- an Arctic bird that migrates Finch 300, Red Crossbill 22, row 97, Song Sparrow 15, Dark- south to Wyoming for the Amer. Goldfinch 7, Evening eyed Junco 67 (Slate-colored winter. Grosbeak 228, House Spar- 26, Oregon 8, Pink-sided 16, un- The Count was sponsored row 3247. differentiated 17), Red-winged by the Murie Audubon Soci- Number of Species 55 - Blackbird 23, Gray-crowned ety of Casper and is part of Total Individuals 11,186 Rosy Finch 300, House Finch the National Audubon Soci- Chris Michelson & Bruce 102, Pine Siskin 62, Amer. Gold- ety‘s Christmas Bird Count. Walgren—Compilers finch 4, Evening Grosbeak 14, The count is an attempt to House Sparrow 68. count all the birds in a 15 mile BATES HOLE CBC 13 observers and 2 feeder diameter circle. Points on the watchers identified 45 total circle include Government he Bates Hole 2009 species and 2,160 individual bridge, the junction of high- T Christmas Bird Count birds. ways 220 and 487, the Free- was taken on January 1, The highlight of the count land Cemetery on the flank of 2010. The following birds was the 251 Sage-grouse, a Muddy Mountain and a point were seen. good showing for a bird some slightly north of where high- Mallard 103, Pintail 5, consider as possibly threat- way 487 crosses Lawn Creek. Common Goldeneye 110, Com- ened. The thirteen Golden Ea- The count has been taken an- mon Mergansers 4, Ring- gles seen were fewer than are nually in the same area since necked Pheasant 9, Sage- often seen on the Bates Hole 1977. grouse 251, Wild Turkey CBC. The Bates Hole rabbit Participants in the count 169, Bald Eagle 12 (3 adult, 9 population is currently at a cy- include from Casper Tom immature), N. Harrier 1, clical low and the rabbits are a Heald, Robin Kepple, Chris Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Gos- principal food for the Golden Michelson, Wanda Peters, hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 4, Eagle. Hustace Scott, Karen Snyder PAGE 5 PLAINS & PEAKS and Dwaine Wagoner, from bon field trip?‖ wrote ―1 prong horned lark‖ Riverton Jessica and Andy Everyone turned. ―Yes, it is,‖ in his notebook. He was be- Anderson, and from Bates answered a middle-aged lady. ginning to relax. Yes, this was Hole Harry and Tony Martin, Something seemed to startle going to go fine. Just then he and Charles and George her as she looked at him, then heard a noise that sounded Scott with Milcey Scott and she asked, ―Do you want to like branches rubbing to- Susan Martin watching feed- come along?‖ gether. Everybody stood lis- ers. Jake had already provided tening for a minute then Charles Scott—Compiler himself with binoculars and a someone said, ―That sounds notebook. ―I do,‖ he replied. like a creaky owl.‖ Jake con- ―I‘m from the Game and Fish, fidently agreed. ―Yup, that‘s a GOVERNMENT by the way.‖ The Audubon mem- creaky owl.‖ INTELLIGENCE bers stared at him for a mo- ―You know,‖ said someone (By—Lewis and Annette Hein) ment, then glanced at each after a short pause ―I think other. After a moment one of creaky owls are the only birds ake tried to reassure him- them said, ―Well, we‘re glad to that use pellet stoves. They J self: all he had to do was have you. Let‘s go!‖ burn owl pellets in them.‖ talk knowledgeably about The group started slowly ―Why yes‖ said Jake ―I re- birds. It didn‘t matter along the trail, and Jake began member reading about that whether it was accurate, it to feel that he was doing quite somewhere.‖ just had to sound genuine. well. He had completely forgot- A small yellow bird flashed He recalled instructions ten that stamped conspicuously across an open space and into from the FBI Undercover on the cover of his notebook some bushes. ―That must be a Manual: ―When trying to was ―Department of Homeland wagtail warbler,‖ said some- sound knowledgeable about Security, Audubon Surveillance one. subjects on which you are Project.‖ ―I do believe it is‖ said ignorant, follow the lead of As they walked, Jake no- Jake, feeling very proud of the group.‖ If he just kept ticed that all the other mem- how knowledgeable he was that in mind, everything bers kept glancing at him, and sounding. He decided it was would be fine. he decided he should do some- time to say something au- Anyway, he didn‘t have thing more to establish his thoritative. He shut his eyes, time for worrying. The field cover. He was trying to think of pointed at random and said, trip party that he must keep an intelligent remark about ―Looks like a greater gold- under surveillance was as- birds when someone said ―Hey, finch over there.‖ sembling at the trailhead. isn‘t that a prong horned lark?‖ Everyone agreed and Jake All three of them carried A small brown bird with bold felt relieved. He figured all suspiciously powerful binocu- black face markings was walking these bird names were code lars. Taking a deep breath about in the grass. words anyway. and trying to act casual, he ―Yes‖ said someone else, The party continued along strolled over to the group ―that looks like a prong horned the trail till they reached a and asked ―Is this the Audu- lark to me.‖ Jake nodded and small picnic area overlooking PAGE 6 PLAINS & PEAKS the river. The Audubon ―You know. One that burns Ed.‘s Note: Our canceled members stepped to the riv- owl pellets.‖ said Jake, begin- field trip—by Homeland Se- erbank and pretended to ning to wonder whether he was curity—to Dave Johnson search for water birds, but doing so well after all. Power Plant provided inspira- Jake knew what they were ―Owl pellets? What—‖ The tion for this story. The char- really doing. Three miles man suddenly looked at him acters involved are a product away were the towers of the sharply and said ―Oh yes, of of the authors‘ imaginations.) John Davidson power plant, course. Do you see that pacifist puffing clouds of steam. Un- loon over there?‖ He pointed to doubtedly, the Audubon a small black bird swimming on members were here to re- the river. ceive steam signals about a ―Oh yes,‖ said Jake. ―I won- sabotage plot from their dered what that was.‖ confederates at the power The man went over and con- plant. ferred in a low voice with the The birdwatchers had other Audubon members. Then their binoculars pointed he announced ―Time to wrap up across the river at the the field trip.‖ power plant and code words ―OK,‖ said Jake. He was BIRD NOTES were flying faster than pleased that he‘d kept under ever: ―There‘s a pelican!‖ cover so well. He would have inter continues to ―Yes, and there‘s another!‖ lots of useful material to re- W grip the country – ―Three geese behind that port. some parts of the Midwest little island.‖ ―Look, mallards! Twenty minutes later Jake have received record snow- They‘re probably nesting in walked proudly into his boss‘ of- fall; and freezing temps have that marshy bit.‖ ―There‘s a fice. ―Hi, I‘ve been spying on reached deep into the south- sandpiper.‖ those Audubon people like you eastern US. What all this Jake was noting down said.‖ will do to bird species move- this conversation for later His boss stared at him. ―You ments remains to be seen. So decoding when another per- didn‘t carry that notebook on far Cassin‘s Finches, Pine son arrived. the field trip, did you?‖ ―Well, Siskins, and Common Redpolls ―Sorry I‘m a little late. of course I did—OH, NO!‖ seem to be few and far be- Seen any good birds?‖ (Lewis, 15, and Annette, 17, tween; and Evening Grosbeak ―Why yes,‖ answered first became interested in bird- numbers are – well, who knows Jake. ―We found a prong ing when their family took sev- about Evening Grosbeaks? horned lark, a creaky owl, eral summer-long camping (Though, the Casper CBC did and a greater goldfinch.‖ ―vacations‖ near Jackson Can- have 228.) So, it will be in- The man looked blank. ―A yon while building the straw teresting to learn what spe- creaky owl?‖ he asked. bale cabin where they now live. cies will be seen – and where ―What in heaven‘s name is a They have been home schooled they will appear. creaky owl?‖ since the age of two. PAGE 7 PLAINS & PEAKS

December birds – For the Siskin, Ann Hines – American Hooded Mergansers and other month of December, Wayne Robin, Casper College Green- ducks, but the best view we had and I received 235 yard house – Dark-eyed Junco, Bruce was of an immature Goshawk bird selections from 18 Walgren – Bald Eagle, Donna that flew by the window of the car. It was about 30 feet away states plus the Yukon and Walgren – Northern Harrier; and everyone had an excellent Ecuador with 79 different Buffalo: Deane Bjerke – Blue view. We saw about 25 species, species reported. Good Jay; Cheyenne: Barb Gorges – which is a pretty good for a lei- numbers of raptors are still Dark-eyed Junco; Evanston: surely afternoon in January. being seen (11 species plus 2 Patti Gorman – Cassin‘s Finch, Saturday, Feb. 20. Origi- species of owls). Woodpeck- Tim Gorman – House Finch; nally we were going to go to ers are usually seen in win- Lander: Andrea Orabona – Gray Reef on Feb. 6, but due to ter months – we had 5 spe- Rough-legged Hawk; Riverton: Homeland Security we did that cies in December; and as Suzanne Hargis – Northern in January. I have decided to typical – lots of chickadees, Goshawk, Bob Hargis – Wilson‘s move the Jackson Canyon Eagle Steller‘s Jays, and nut- Snipe; Sundance: Jean Adams watching forward from March to February. We will have to hatches. However, reports – Merlin. rethink what would be good for of Pine Siskins, Red Cross- Thanks to all who helped a March field trip. We will meet bills, and redpolls were with the Yard Bird Project in at the turnout opposite the down. The number one bird December!! Keep watching for Goose Egg Inn turnoff on Wyo- was Sharp-shinned Hawk. winter visitors that might show ming 220 at 4:30 PM. We will Second place was a tie be- up in your neighborhoods. Send then drive to the base of Jack- tween Black-capped Chicka- your bird notes and yard bird son Canyon and walk up to the dee and Bald Eagle. Pileated reports to Donna Walgren, 4311 Eagle Roost. The walk will be Woodpecker came in third, S. Center St., Casper, WY about a mile and an 800 foot and Northern Flicker was in 82601, or email to Pi- elevation increase, and through fourth place. [email protected], or phone snow. Dress warmly because at the end of the walk we get to Wyoming Yard Birds 234-7455. Good Birding!!! stand around waiting for the ea- Casper: Brigid Herold – Donna Walgren gles to fly over us. We will then Black-capped Chickadee, walk down in the dark, so bring a Lois Layton – Spotted Tow- FIELD TRIPS flash light. Jackson Canyon al- hee, Barb Yonts – Sharp- aturday, Jan 9, 2010. Home- most always has strong winds shinned Hawk, Bob Yonts – S land Security's new rules that will feel cold at 40 degrees. Northern Flicker, Pat Clas- don't provide for birders looking If it is too cold (sub-zero) or sen – Black-capped Chicka- toward a Power Plant with bird snowing too hard, we will post- dee, Cecil Foote – American glasses and scopes. So instead of pone for a week. There was a going to the Dave Johnson Power Robin, Ed Reish – Black- suggestion that we go to the Plant, we went to Gray Reef. We capped Chickadee, Chris Goose Egg for supper after had a good variety of birds. I watching the Eagles. Let me Michelson – Red-breasted don't know where they were hiding know if you are interested in Nuthatch, Rose-Mary King – during the Bates Hole Christmas that. Call Stacey Scott at 262- Sharp-shinned Hawk, Garden Count, but there were lots of 0055 for details. That is my Creek Audubon Center – Pine geese. We had excellent views of PAGE 8 PLAINS & PEAKS cell phone, and should reach me groups who want to see Outdoor of a snow crystal? Wilson Alwyn where ever I am. Environmental Education be more Bentley on January 15, 1885 . Field Trip Chair—Stacy prevalent. They are working to The children‘s book Snowflake Scott support legislation to ensure that Bentley tells all about his life every student achieves environ- and discovery and is being en- AUDUBON CENTER AT mental literacy. If you would like joyed by adults as well as chil- more information on the No Child dren. For more technical enjoy- GARDEN CREEK Left Inside coalition visit the web ment, the Field Guide to Snow- site www.eenclb.org Providing op- flakes is fascinating and beauti- reetings! Winter at the portunities for children (and ful. Both of these books and G Center marches on with adults) to experience the natural more are available for checkout much anticipation and planning world and learn about the local at the Center! of the spring and summer to ecosystem is one of the main goals May the winter winds bring come. The feeders are a flut- of the Center and its programs. good birds, and time to enjoy! ter of activity with the usual Audubon, on all levels, plays an im- WANDA PETERS – Nature House Sparrows, House portant role in helping to ensure Center Supervisor – Audubon Finches, Black-capped Chicka- that children learn outside as well Center at Garden Creek dees, Pine Siskins, and Magpies. as in the classroom. The Downy Woodpecker and February will bring some new Northern Flicker are daily visi- programs, including Home school AUDUBON tors and occasionally Evening Science Days, Preschool Nature ADVENTURES Grosbeaks and Gray-crowned Story time, and Yoga with Jess Rosy-Finches fly in to feed. Ryan! I was just asked by a com- hanks to Bart Rea for There‘s often a Golden Eagle or munity member about the possibil- sponsoring multiple classes Rough-legged Hawk soaring T ity of a beginner bird class in of Audubon Adventures. ALL overhead, and a perching Sharp preparation for the Great Back- CLASSES ARE NOW SPON- -shinned hawk initiated an exo- yard Bird Count on February 12-15. SORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will no- dus of all birds in the vicinity. Sounded like a great idea to en- tify teachers of their sponsors Dwaine Wagoner has spotted a courage more informed bird in February. Hopefully sponsors porcupine on several occasions watching, so Saturday, February 6 will receive a thank you note. and managed to get it to pose from 10-12 is the tentative date Education Chair—Ann Hines for multiple photographs! which will allow folks to participate

I can‘t imagine a life with- in the field trip that afternoon as out nature close at hand, and well. BANQUET NEEDS yet for many children, an inside I will be attending an Environ- world is all they know. Play is mental Education conference over 'm still in need of plastic structured and often indoors, President‘s Day weekend and will I tops from spray cans for the school field trips to places like regrettably miss the Bird Count banquet. They should be about the Audubon Center at Garden and the gala banquet event that two inches across like the ones Creek are not seen as part of I‗ve heard so much about. I wish on Pam or spray paint. They can the curriculum. The No Child you all great fun and inspiration be left at the Audubon Center Left INSIDE coalition is a na- and a record breaking attendance! or contact Ann Hines – 266- tionwide group of nearly 1500 Winter Trivia: Who developed 3160. business, health, youth, faith, the world‘s first photo-micrograph Raffles items from individu- environmental, and recreation als or local businesses or silent PAGE 9 PLAINS & PEAKS auction items are needed. Ban- activities from birding to quet tickets can be purchased pheasant hunting. until Feb. 10. $25/each or a Betty Krause has table of 8 for $175. Please made sure that we all en- contact Rose-Mary King – 577- joy refreshments at our 0568 monthly meetings for more than 20 years. She CERTIFICATE OF coordinates volunteers APPRECIATION bringing the goodies to our meetings for snacks RECIPIENTS after the program is over. Dave Johnston Power Plant. Since Betty is also an active volunteer urie Audubon presented his retirement from Casper Col- with the American Cancer Soci- M Certificates of Appre- lege, Chris has consulted with vari- ety (ACS), raising funds for ciation at the January 8, 2010 ous companies to do bird surveys them during their annual Relay monthly meeting. at potential wind farm sites. You for Life as well as many of the Jan Whitney was recog- may also know that Chris is a other activities with ACS. She nized for her 15+ years of work Board Member of the Platte River is also active with her church, maintaining our newsletter Parkway Trust and will soon be- Our Saviors Lutheran. mailing list, getting the mailing come President of that organiza- (Pictured above left to right: labels on the newsletter, and tion. Jan Whitney, Chris Michelson, getting them all into the mail. As Assistant Naturalist at the Larry Keffer, Betty Krause) You should know that Jan Audubon Center at Garden Creek, Donna Walgren makes quilts as a hobby and Larry Keffer spent countless un- that she volunteers at a local paid hours doing everything from REFRESHMENT nursing home instructing and mending mist nets, working with SCHEDULE helping residents with quilting kids of all ages, to mowing lawns. projects. She has also tutored Larry has coordinated and con- February—Annual Banquet students at Casper College and ducted migratory bird surveys at March – Arlene Carr & Ann at the Natrona County Deten- Steamboat Lake (Pathfinder Na- Hines tion Center helping the detain- tional Wildlife Refuge) as well as April – Debb Tarr & Dan Van ees work on GED requirements. monitoring two Sage-Grouse Leks Burgh Chris Michelson has been a in the spring, plus doing a Breeding May – Kathy Keffer & Jackie Murie Board Member since Bird Survey in June, and helping Odaz 2001, served 6 years as our with Murie‘s sunflower seed sale. Thank you to all of you who treasurer, has taught beginning Larry is also a long time member have volunteered. If you can fill bird classes, helped with and Past-President of the Casper in for someone who can‘t bring Murie‘s sunflower seed sale, Photography Club. As President of refreshments, please call me, and frequently leads our bird- the Wardwell Water and Sewer 237-2392. Those who have ing field trips. Chris serves on District, Larry presided over the signed up to fill in are Kathy the Wyoming Rare Bird Com- new water tower for the district Davis, Hallie Harris, Arlene Carr mittee helping to review rare that serves Bar Nunn, where he & Kathy Keffer. bird reports from across the lives. Larry enjoys most outdoor Hospitality Chair - Betty state. He also conducts a Krause Breeding Bird Survey near the